Cyclist clipped by a Brown Line train

Cyclist with minor injuries 'lucky to be alive' after he was clipped by a Brown Line train


A cyclist was clipped by a CTA Brown Line train Friday afternoon on the Northwest Side — and walked away with only minor injuries.

The cyclist was crossing the tracks near the Kedzie stop around 4:40 p.m. in the 4600 block of North Kedzie Avenue in the Albany Park neighborhood when he was hit by the train, Chicago police said. The tracks are street-level on that stretch of the Brown Line.

The cyclist was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for minor injuries. Officials previously reported he refused treatment.

“He’s lucky to be alive,” said Walter Schroeder, deputy district chief of the Chicago Fire Department.

The Brown Line is operating with a delay after the incident.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-cyclist-c...

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Permalink Reply by Steve Fiete on January 5, 2019 at 3:30am

... but was he wearing a helmet? ;>

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on January 5, 2019 at 8:22am

Short of making the line elevated there are larger barriers not sure what else they can do. That crossing is exceptionally well marked.

That being said, thank God the cyclist walked away without serious injuries.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 5, 2019 at 12:22pm
Permalink Reply by Josh L. on January 7, 2019 at 4:50am

Tragic.  I guess if people are going to go around the large gate with blinking lights the other alternative would be some huge barrier that you can't get around.  I would think that would be technically difficult and slow to open.  Maybe better signage would be the trick...

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on January 7, 2019 at 5:37am

It's a frustrating crossing but you just have to be patient. I used to commute regularly past that gate. I've sat at the gate with it going up/going down, waiting for a long time. I can see why some get frustrated and go around it but there's always so much danger in that. Always, always respect the gate and wait. A faster commute and/or general frustration aren't worth risking your life.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on January 7, 2019 at 10:31am

Grade level trains are riskier in what used to be a quaint chill part of town.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on January 8, 2019 at 5:02pm

It's just time for that part of town to elevate the train line. Judgement seems to falter in busy urban environments. 

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on January 9, 2019 at 12:57am

Spend money because a few idiots aren't smart enough to follow blinking lights and a closed barrier?  Include me out of this idea. 

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on January 9, 2019 at 4:04am

Some suburbs have also limited trains from using whistles as a warning because it's too disturbing to the residents.

In the earliest days of railroads in Chicago railroads were new and many were unaware of their existence.  Today blinking lights and gate closings should be enough.

Permalink Reply by Dan Allison on January 9, 2019 at 4:33am

the yellow line also has a bunch of at-grade street crossings in skokie.

here are the at-grade street crossings of the el:

purple line - 2 in wilmette

yellow line - 7 in skokie

brown line - 1 in lincoln square, 5 in albany park

pink line - 3 in north lawndale, 7 in cicero

so there are only 9 at-grade street crossings within city limits.

Metra has A LOT more in city limits, way too many for me to bother counting up.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on January 9, 2019 at 3:03pm

Take away? Don't go around a lowered crossing gate -duh!

And, save your preaching for church.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on January 10, 2019 at 11:48am
There's a phrase i learnt from a family member in the Navy- it applies to stupid, or self-destructive and self-defeating individuals: They're a self-cleaning oven.

Eventually such riders either learn or get removed from the gene pool.

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